Christian Scavenger Hunt Stop #13

Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #13

Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all 31 stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 3 grand prizes!

Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).

There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 11/6)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books.

Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the clue on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at Stop #31. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!

I’m excited to host James Rubart on my stop. Jim is an amazing author and an all around fun guy to be around! I think you’re going to love his new book! Here’s a little bit about The Long Journey to Jake Palmer:

What if there was a place where everything wrong in your life could be fixed?

Corporate trainer Jake Palmer coaches people to see deeper into themselves—yet he barely knows himself anymore. Recently divorced and weary of the business life, Jake reluctantly agrees to a lake-house vacation with friends, hoping to escape for ten days.

When he arrives, Jake hears the legend of Willow Lake—about a lost corridor that leads to a place where one’s deepest longings will be fulfilled.

Jake scoffs at the idea, but can’t shake a sliver of hope that the corridor is real. And when he meets a man who mutters cryptic speculations about the corridor, Jake is determined to find the path, find himself, and fix his crumbling life.

But the journey will become more treacherous with each step Jake takes.

Ever Wonder If Your Favorite Novel is Autobiographical?

By James Rubart

Have you ever finished a novel, loved it, then wondered how much of it came straight from the author’s own life? Wondered how much is autobiographical? Me too. Then I became an author and I have the answer—at least for myself.

My novels? All highly autobiographical. I don’t know how to write them any other way.

Ding! A light bulb went off when Ted said that, because that’s how I write as well.

I heard eons ago that you have to write for your readers, but that never made sense to me. If I write to what I think you want to read, it won’t come across as gut-level authentic, because it can’t be.

I’d be guessing, trying to whip up emotions and situations that aren’t infused with my own deep conviction or experience.

I can’t write out of pretending. I have to write from that place inside of fear, joy, disappointment, tragedy, triumph, and hope.

The Result

If I do that—dig deep, really deep, to the core of my heart deep—then there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll resonate with the things I’m going through. Because you might be going through some of same struggles.

You’ll see yourself as one of the characters in my novel and you’ll become immersed in what becomes not my story, but your story.

What I Hope For

I have two desires for someone that reads my books: First, wildly entertain them—can’t put the book down type entertainment—and second, help them step into more freedom than they’ve ever known.

To do that, I have to find my own freedom in what I write, find victory over my own battles.

So yes, my ideas, scenes, snippets of conversation, struggles of my characters all come from real life. My life and the lives of those around me. (My wife bought me a sweatshirt that says, “Be Careful, Or You’ll End Up in My Novel”. Yes, that’s happened a few times.)

Your Favorite Novel

So my guess is that any novel that you would call a favorite—a novel that affected you significantly—came from the deep down places in that author’s life.

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He’s the bestselling, Christy, Carol, INSPY, and RT award winning writer of eight novels and lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington.

52 thoughts on “Christian Scavenger Hunt Stop #13”

I’ve read two of your novels so far and I love the fact that they take place in WA state – I live in Snohomish. They are very entertaining and I’m planning on reading them all. I’ve read “The Five Times I Met Myself” – who doesn’t want to go back and change things? and “Jake Palmer.” Keep writing! You are one of my favorites, now!

Thanks for allowing us to participate in such an interesting scavenger hunt. I must say it is a learning experience for me but I’m enjoying it.
I also enjoy your books. Have been reading them for years.

Just finished reading The Chair a few weeks ago ,WOW it was hard to put down
i’m waiting to get a copy of The long journey of Jake Palmer.And waiting on Colleen Coble
:Twilight at blueberry barrens.thanks for this giveaway.

Wow! The synopsis for your book from Scavenger Hunt Stop #12 sounds really intense with all the things the main character has to be looking over her shoulder for. Sounds like a real “on pins and needles” kind of book!

Thanks for taking part in this scavenger hunt! When it comes to writing, the first rule is to write about what you know. It makes it more real and authentic. It’s annoying to read a book written by an author that knows little or nothing about the subject in which they write. Plus, it’s easier to get attached to the characters because they just feel more realistic and human.

I received Twilight at Blueberry Barrens in the mail yesterday from Fiction Guild Team Challenge. It excited me so much because it was a book by one of my favorite authors. I had preciously received The Long Journey to Jake Palmer and loved it.

Thanks so much for the wonderful opportunity to win!!! Please make sure I am signed up for your newsletter…my email is cavallofrances@yahoo.com…I would really appreciate it! You are a wonderful writer…I love your books…have a wonderful, Blessed Day!!!

Because Christmas is drawing near, I am reading your book Silent Night, Holy Night. Also I wanted to say that I got to see James Rubart “in action” at a writer’s conference this summer- so fun! I’m looking forward to reading his books too!

It was through your newsletter, Colleen, that I learned about this scavenger hunt. I am enjoying it and being introduced to several new authors and have a long list of books to read. I love your books and have read most of them….I think the three most recent published books I have not read yet…..but they are on my list! Thanks for your newsletter and the updates of your grandson….he’s a keeper!!

Have enjoyed your books in the past, Jim. Look forward to this one. Just have to say ~ I identify with your age! That exactly describes how I feel. See, you connect with your readers even when you aren’t telling a deep story. LOL Thanks for digging deep.
~ Mary Kay

James is another new author (to me), I have found a few while on “The Hunt”. My TBR stack is so high and meeting new ones is a delimma for me, Oh well what are books for except to be fun and his looks good. stack them up.
Having fun with the authors today, you all make the weekend a happier place. see ya later.

James, You have so many books – I’m in awe! You are different as a writer in that you seem to do write of reflection and inner strength, which we know comes from our Creator. I can’t wait to start reading your books! 🙂

I absolutely loved” Five Times I met myself”- a very well deserved Christy – Book of the year award. I’m very excited to read about your new book James The Long journey to Jake Palmer looks like another amazing journey. And Colleen- you will always be a favorite- Twilight at Blueberry Barrens looks amazing and thanks for the Blueberry recipes! YUM!